Glasses, visors, and nose pain: eyes-on with upcoming Sony 3D tech

Sony will be releasing two new 3D products later this year, a PlayStation- …

Sony wants you to play games and watch movies in 3D, but regular 3D TVs are just so yesterday. In an attempt to help bolster the burgeoning technology, Sony will soon be offering a number of alternatives. We had the chance to check out two upcoming devices: the PlayStation-branded 24" display originally unveiled at E3, and the Personal 3D Viewer, a visor-like device that simulates a theater-sized 3D viewing experience.

One is a nice, somewhat cheap option for the 3D curious, while the other is an expensive toy with lots of promise that doesn't appear to be quite ready yet.

Goodbye to split-screen

At first glance, the PlayStation 3D Display isn't all that impressive. It's a 24" inch display with a nice, crisp 1080p resolution. The $500 price tag might seem a bit steep for a TV of that caliber, but there's one unique 3D feature that makes the display worth a look, especially if you're into multiplayer games. As with most 3D technologies, the display requires glasses to get the desired three-dimensional effect. But with the PlayStation Display, those glasses can display different images for different viewers.

For example, when playing MLB 11: The Show, one player gets the view from behind the mound, while the other is facing down the pitch. The feature eliminates the need for split-screen gaming. Without the glasses on, the image looks strange, with both views layered over top of one another. But once you put the glasses on the effect works largely as advertised. Aside from a few ghost images—I could see the faint outline of a batter while I was pitching—you only see what you're supposed to. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to test out a more ideal game, like a split-screen FPS or racer, where the action is faster and the ability to only see your own screen is much more important.

As far as single-player games, I had the chance to play Wipeout HD in 3D and it looked largely the same as on any other 3D display. The glasses are quite light and comfortable, and charge via the same cord as a Dual Shock controller. If you wear glasses, the fit might not be as great (that was the experience of one journalist at the event).

Though it was originally slated to come out in September, some retailers are now listing the 3D display for a November release. It sells for $500 bundled with a game and one pair of 3D glasses.

View-Master reimagined

On the other end of the spectrum, on November 25 Sony will be releasing a device called the Personal 3D Viewer HMZ-T1. Essentially, it's a visor that covers your eyes and ears, fully immersing you in whatever it is you're playing/watching. Initially the effect is quite strange—when I first put on the device and watched the opening sequence of Motorstorm Apocalypse, I couldn't help but be reminded of using a View-Master as a kid. You know the image is right in front of your eyes but it's attempting to simulate a large screen viewed from far away, which can be disconcerting.

According to Sony, the Personal 3D Viewer emulates a 750-inch screen viewed 20 meters away—so basically a movie theater screen. It also features 5.1 virtual surround sound, though the sound wasn't enabled during the few races I played.

Sony Personal 3D Viewer

What's strange though, is that once I became accustomed to the device, the effect was actually pretty convincing. There were times when I forgot I had a silly visor on my head and it actually felt like I was in a dark theater looking at great 3D visuals. The image is bright and clear and the visor fully blocks out any outside visual distractions. Motorstorm Apocalypse, of course, is a perfect demo for this sort of tech, with lots of flying debris and smoke effects to give you a good sense of the 3D world.

The problem is it's really hard to forget that you have a silly visor on your head.

It didn't necessarily feel heavy, but even with the straps tightened as far as they would go—apparently I have a rather small head—the visor was constantly tipping forward, enough that it actually began to hurt my nose after only a short time playing. The straps also feel cheap and plasticky, especially on such a high-tech device. Put simply, while the visual effects are quite impressive, the visor itself is uncomfortable.

The Personal 3D Viewer is also quite expensive, and is slated to retail for a whopping $800 come November.

Different strokes

These two products are clearly aimed at two different markets. While the PlayStation Display provides a relatively inexpensive option for those who want to play games in 3D, the Personal 3D Viewer is an expensive toy that likely needs an iteration or two to become a more compelling product. Make it smaller, lighter, and more comfortable (and maybe a few hundred dollars cheaper) and it could be the ideal way to watch James Cameron's latest.

63 Reader Comments

I've been following the AVS thread on the HMZ-T1 for the past month, and a number of people there who have tried demo units for decent amounts of time have been very impressed. Sure, it's a first generation device, but apparently Sony got a whole lot right with it.

What's strange though, is that once I became accustomed to the device, the effect was actually pretty convincing. There were times when I forgot I had a silly visor on my head and it actually felt like I was in a dark theater looking at great 3D visuals.

Was it because you actually forgot, or because part of your head went numb and you stopped feeling it? Those things look kind of uncomfortable, like strapping a virtual boy to your head.

"The Personal 3D Viewer is also quite expensive, and is slated to retail for a whopping $800 come November."I think we will see 50+ inch 3D TVs available for $800 this November. I'm hoping for a 55+ inch 3D plasma for around 1100 or less.

I wouldn't say that these are a first gen device. Head mounted displays have been around for over 10 years (even for consumers).

I've tried old versions a few times, but they all had a problem that they made it seem like you were watching a big screen with crappy resolution at the other end of a dark hallway more than anything else. And you had to focus too close so your eyes started hurting after 5 minutes.

These new ones look promising though. Nice link to AVS, I'll have to go over that and see what people are saying. 3D should be a great fit for these, since it completely eliminates cross talk.

It didn't necessarily feel heavy, but even with the straps tightened as far as they would go—apparently I have a rather small head—the visor was constantly tipping forward, enough that it actually began to hurt my nose after only a short time playing.

The visor sounds like something I'll keep an eye on (provided it can be made to work with pc gaming!). Something like that equipped with motion sensors would be awesome for camera control in a way that current motion control devices that use a static screen just couldn't match.

Made to be compatible across a range of devices and this is one peripheral that could completely change gaming IMO. Of course, it's Sony. They play as well with others as Apple does, so there's almost complete certainty it will die in obscurity as an overpriced PS-exclusive peripheral that no one uses and get no dev support.

It didn't necessarily feel heavy, but even with the straps tightened as far as they would go—apparently I have a rather small head—the visor was constantly tipping forward, enough that it actually began to hurt my nose after only a short time playing.

Hmm...what if you use them lying down?

Laziest. 3D. Gaming. Ever.

oh a load screen, i'll just close my eyes for a second...out for the night.

I've been following the AVS thread on the HMZ-T1 for the past month, and a number of people there who have tried demo units for decent amounts of time have been very impressed. Sure, it's a first generation device, but apparently Sony got a whole lot right with it.

That is in no way a first-generation piece of hardware. You forget the Glasstrons and other attempts at this in the past?

Just realized that something that isn't mentioned in the article (but that does appear in the YouTube video title) is that the screens on the goggles are OLED -- deep blacks and nice saturated colors. They also come with light-blockers to totally, well, block out any light. Also, I seem to remember seeing that they were also NVIDIA 3D Vision-capable (I really hope I'm not getting them mixed up with a different set here).

I could see the visor gaining traction if:-it was sold as a peripheral for PS3/PS4-it was $200 or less-in addition to 3D, it had head-tracking motion control that was supported and utilized in a bunch of games, not just a few (imagine Gran Turismo or Resistance where just turning your head rotates your in-game head/body).-it didn't feel heavy/painful.

I would like to give that visor a go but the price means it is dead in the water. At $300 I MAY have given it a go. So many Sony products shoot themselves in the foot by being too expensive.

Personally I can see paying this, depending on the quality and how it can be used. It sounds like it's better than any projector I've ever own and I pay $1000 for one every couple of years. While I can't watch movies as a group for gaming and watching movies by myself it's absolutely perfect.

This wouldn't be just an additional toy, it'd replace my projector for the most part (and I don't own a TV). When I look at it like that $800 is a great price. Under $500 would be amazing (which I imagine it'll be in a year or two)

I could see the visor gaining traction if:-it was sold as a peripheral for PS3/PS4-it was $200 or less-in addition to 3D, it had head-tracking motion control that was supported and utilized in a bunch of games, not just a few (imagine Gran Turismo or Resistance where just turning your head rotates your in-game head/body).-it didn't feel heavy/painful.

Even Sony's gotta be smart enough to realize that locking in a viable "personal display" to their increasingly infamous PSx platform would be a very bad move. I'm betting every one at Sony not in the PS division is trying to put as much space between their products and the whole security fiasco over at PSN as possible.

Additional features to look for in Sony products- Doesn't burst into flames- Doesn't send your credit card to every script kiddie that asks for it- Doesn't use proprietary interfaces when there's standards used by everyone else on the planet

WTF sony? Quit half-assing and make the OLED wrap around the entire FOV for each eye, so you can just calibrate for a full stomache turning 3D feel, and with OLED, why is it so bulky but you can make a zune really thin,

WTF sony? Quit half-assing and make the OLED wrap around the entire FOV for each eye, so you can just calibrate for a full stomache turning 3D feel, and with OLED, why is it so bulky but you can make a zune really thin,

Physical viewing distance most likely. I suspect those OLEDs needs to be a minimum distance from the eye to be healthy over the long term.

So, does the PlayStation 3D Display still show a 3D image when used in two-person split screen mode, or is it 2D? Also does the angle of the users matter at all or just which pair of glasses you have on?

-in addition to 3D, it had head-tracking motion control that was supported and utilized in a bunch of games, not just a few (imagine Gran Turismo or Resistance where just turning your head rotates your in-game head/body).

I played a large chunk of Xenogears on a Sony Glasstron while lying in bed. I would be totally down for this visor if it was closer to $300. I was single and renting back then and had a lot of disposable income. Now I'm married with a kid an a house. I'd rather put that $800 toward a better TV (Have a 5 year old EDTV plasma still).

Part of the joy of watching movies as a family is being able to look over and see the other person's expressions, or share a knowing glance at someone when a scene was shot at one of your old haunts. I feel the visors would severely detract from any group viewing of a show, but would probably be excellent for an evening at home alone.

To all the people wanting it to be $200-$300 dollars, let's be realistic. Sure it'd be nice if it was free too, but you're talking about brand new 1000+dpi OLEDS, that doesn't come cheap. Perhaps in a couple of years it'll drop, but they probably don't have the yeild rate and manufacturing costs to meet those prices now. Besides the bulk of these panels are being sucked up by the EVF in the new NEX-7 bodies...

Been waiting for a company to do something with visors/goggles.Hopefully this will be the re-birth of this sort of tech.

I have a couple questions.

1. What about people who wear glasses? Are the lens able to be focused in order to compensate?2. Watching other videos of the visors, there appears to be no padding underneath. I can see how it would be painful after a while.

I'm hoping this tech gets a new kick start into developing into something really cool in the near future (and cheaper).

Is the US release date of the Personal 3D Viewer really November 25th? Sony's online store has been taking pre-orders for weeks now and their pre-order page still shows an estimated ship date of October 26th.

Now compare that to the Visuix Wrap headsets. Specifically, the Wrap 920 and the Wrap 1200. Or, alternately, the VR versions of each, utilizing head-tracking which can be used for a number of things, including game control.

True, the physical resolution isn't as good, but the downscaling works pretty well. And that headtracking, man.

Also that it has adapters for pretty much every video output... It's a crime to give all the attention to Sony on this. :<

Not to mention... both of those are cheaper, support 720p 3D (through downscaling on the wrap 1200, but w/e), and have (optional) headtracking. Wrap's out now and it looks like the cinemizer's out december.